Looking Locally

 In the last week, I have just been going to local haunts. Not a lot of ambition in this hot weather!

A couple of visits to Blenheim lagoons revealed the usual stuff.  

Last Friday a Peregrine Falcon was buzzing the shorebirds.  I did not realize until I took photos, that it was a banded bird.  I have not pursued the origin of the bands though.

Also I have been to Mitchell's Bay early mornings a couple of times since it is close to home.  Not producing anything of note there though!  However, it is just nice to sit on the dock for a while with a breeze coming in off the lake.

Sunday morning I went up to Dow Wetlands for a walk. 

Cup Plant

At least one Clay-colored Sparrow was still present among other sparrows.

A couple of Slaty Skimmers were around one of the ponds.

On the way back, I made a quick stop at Wilkesport.  A couple of Royal River Cruisers were cruising!  This one briefly stopped to be photographed.  Since it is my favourite ode, I always attempt a photo.

A few insects have been visiting the garden, but certainly not as many as usual this year.  This mason wasp is one of the less common ones, called Perennial.

Different butterflies included Eastern Giant Swallowtail.

Not many odes of course, but while watching the swallowtail, I noticed this tiny Fragile Forktail.

On Monday, I decided to go to Rondeau as I had not been there in many weeks.  A long walk out marsh trail to the half way point and back did me in for the rest of the day.  The heat and humidity gets to me more than it used to!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Swamp Rose Mallow decorates the edges of the marsh, and is fairly abundant out the marsh trail.

And wild rice is doing well.

Today I was interested in going to Strathroy lagoons, as many shorebirds had been reported recently.  Although no rarities, there was a lot to sort through.  Habitat is excellent there for shorebirds.

The best bird today was a Wilson's Phalarope.  As in most cases here shorebirds are distant and difficult to photograph as the ponds are large there.

On the way home, I stopped at the Shetland CA boat launch.  As per usual this year, it was disappointing for odonates.  I found a few of the usual things.

Blue-ringed Dancer

Violet Dancer

Eastern Forktail

Flag-tailed Spinyleg

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

A few Blue-fronted Dancers were around, but this one caught my eye due to its bent abdomen.

Anglewings have been scarce this summer, but this Eastern Comma was a beauty.

No Zabulon Skipper this time, but a Peck's Skipper took its place today.

Turtles included Spiny Softshell and Map.  The Map turtles were a bit distance on a usual deadhead.

Of course, Blackstripe Topminnows were ever present.

A couple of Royal River Cruisers were around, but not in any position to be photographed there.

However, some were at Reid Conservation Lands on my last stop today.

Dukes' Skippers may now be done till next year, as I did not see one.

Forgot about the annual Perseid meteor shower last night.  It was cloudy and rainy anyway....lol.

The Old Moon

Fall Birding and Aurora Borealis Puts on a Show

 A couple of days ago I decided to check out Keith McLean C. L. first thing in the morning.  I ended up staying over four hours since many birds were around!  Lots flying over and some lingering.

There are some good mudflats around presently.

Some shorebirds have finally been consistent there with a variety during my visit.  I caught up with the Long-billed Dowitcher that had been reported the previous day, but it was a bit too far for my measly camera.

I was fairly certain that I saw two first thing, but later on I could only come up with one.  Today there were two!

Both yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpipers and Wilson's Snipe were working the grounds during my visit.

There were lots of birds in the air and one wonders what all went through.  Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers were streaming through or working the trees on the property.

My first Pine Siskin of the fall flew over, as well as a couple of Purple Finches.

I caught glimpses of the trusty Nelson's Sparrows there as well, but as usual no chance for a photo.

I was about to leave at one point, when the Turkey Vultures started moving in big numbers.  So, I stayed much longer in hopes of seeing something different.   I saw over 700 TV's.

However, there was not much variety in raptors, and certainly a hoped-for Black Vulture never materialized.

I ended up with 58 species there in four hours.

Yesterday, I did not venture far, but started at the south lakeshore trail at Mitchell's Bay.  Not much variety in birds on this crisp and clear morning.  One is always hopeful for something with the calibre of a Sage Thrasher!  Frankly, I am still hopeful of a Varied Thrush showing up there.

Hermit Thrushes have certainly arrived in numbers this week.

After this walk, I decided to head down to St. Clair NWA.  I do not often go there anymore as things have changed from the old days when there was always a good variety of birds there.  However, it always has potential for something interesting.

There was actually a lot of birds, especially sparrows.  Fox Sparrows have arrived in small numbers, as well as White-crowned Sparrows.  Swamp was the sparrow of the day with the 37 seen or heard along the way.

White-crowned Sparrow on the fence

Always a chance for a Nelson's Sparrow there as well, but it was not to be.  I have only seen one there, and it was at the end of December a number of years ago (running around on the ice)!

Some Sandhill Cranes were around.  These are quite regular at St. Clair anymore.

Common Buckeyes are everywhere, and this place was no exception.

Later on in the morning I went for a walk at Peers Wetland.  A late Least Skipper caught my eye at one point.

Insects in the few flowers that remain, included this Perennial Mason Wasp which is classified as imperiled in Ontario.

Today, you guessed it, I went down to Rondeau Park.  Not the best wind, but a stiff WSW wind was blowing and I was hopeful something of interest would show during a lakewatch.  Yet again, nothing of interest at dog beach.  I do not get it!

Afterwards, I walked south point trail east, then the north end of Harrison.  Yellow-rumped Warblers have arrived in numbers, as there were lots.  Perhaps we may find an "Audubon's" again this year!

Other warblers included Tennessee, Pine, Blackpoll (2), Bay-breasted (2) and Black-throated Blue (2)

Pine Warbler in a deciduous tree

Black-throated Blue Warbler (F) sticking it out

A few Blue-headed Vireos were around, but no all-gray ones.

Last night, the Aurora Borealis lit up the northern sky.  One needs to get away from the city/town lights to get the full effect, as some neighbours are obsessed with leaving lights on!

However, after 22:00h, I looked out my window and saw something happening.  It did not look like much to the naked eye, but using one's cell phone in night mode makes a difference.

Here are a couple of from my window here in Wallaceburg.

Keep your eyes to the sky, as you never know what you will see.

UFO